Mass Customization of Articles Having Dimensional And/Or Animated Images

1. A system for customizing articles having one or more visual effects formed from a customized composite image and a lens array, the articles including variable data, the system comprising: a production site adapted to— receive a digital data file containing a variable data set, each piece of data of the variable data set being different from another piece, combine at least some individual pieces of the variable data set with an image file or text file to form the customized composite image, the customized composite image being adapted to produce a visual effect when coupled with the lens array, wherein the customized composite image comprises a transparent image layer overlaying an individual piece of the variable data set, the transparent image layer being formed of the image file or text file interlaced with a transparent area, and wherein the individual pieces of variable data are viewable through the transparent area of the transparent image layer, insert the customized composite image into a field of a digital template to form a final digital print file, and provide a virtual representation of the customized composite image either alone or within the digital template, wherein the virtual representation comprises an animated image format representing the one or more visual effects; and a digital printing device, wherein the printing device communicates with the production site to print the final digital print file on a substrate, wherein the printed substrate is coupled to the lens array or includes the lens array defined thereon such that the customized composite image is viewable through the lens array, thereby producing the one or more visual effects.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein one or more individual pieces of variable data are converted to a text string, wherein each text string is combined with an interlaced image in a layered template to form the customized composite image.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the variable data set of the digital data file comprises a set of targeted recipient names for mass distribution of a mail piece, and wherein at least some of the names are converted to individual text strings.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the digital data file is provided to the production site through a user interface, email, a storage device, or combinations thereof.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the variable data set comprises a series of elements activated by logic, and wherein the variable data defines whether an element of the series of elements is to be used for customizing a particular article.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a lens sheet comprising a first surface including the lens array defined thereon, and a second generally planar surface, and wherein the final digital print file is printed on the second generally planar surface of the substrate.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein a lens sheet having the lens array defined thereon is bonded to the printed substrate such that the customized composite image is viewable through the lens sheet, thereby forming a customized dimensionally imaged article.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a clear material, wherein the final digital print file is printed on a first side of the substrate, and wherein the lens array is printed on at least a portion of a second side of the substrate such that the customized composite image is viewable through the clear material and the lens array.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the final print file is printed on a first side of the substrate thereby forming a first print layer, and the lens array is printed on at least a portion of the first side over the first print layer such that the customized composite image is viewable through the lens array.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more visual effects comprise three-dimensional effects, animation, magnification, or combinations thereof.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a clear material, wherein the final digital print file is printed on a first side of the substrate, and wherein the lens array is embossed with heat and pressure on at least a portion of a second side of the substrate such that the customized composite image is viewable through the clear material and the lens array.

12. A system for customizing articles having a visual effect formed from a customized composite image and a lens array, the system comprising: a production site adapted to— receive a digital data file containing a first custom image, combine the custom image with at least a second image to form the customized composite image, wherein the customized composite image comprises a transparent image layer overlaying the first custom image, the transparent image layer being formed of the at least second image interlaced with a transparent area, and wherein the first custom image is viewable through the transparent area of the transparent image layer, the customized composite image being adapted to produce the visual effect when coupled with the lens array, insert the customized composite image into a field of a digital template to form a final digital print file, and provide a virtual representation of the customized composite image either alone or within the digital template, wherein the virtual representation comprises an animated image format representing the visual effect; and a digital printing device, wherein the printing device communicates with the production site to print the final digital print file on a substrate, wherein the printed substrate is coupled to the lens array or includes the lens array defined thereon such that the customized composite image is viewable through the lens array, thereby producing the visual effect for each article.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the at least second image comprises a second custom image.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the at least second image comprises one or more stock graphics, one or more custom images, or both, thereby forming the customized composite image.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the digital data file is provided to the production site through a user interface, email, a storage device, or combinations thereof.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the articles comprise containers, cups, packaging, wrappers, tubes, envelopes, announcements, portfolios, multimedia packaging, folders, greeting cards, invitations, napkins, posters, business cards, fabrics, clothing, billboards, stickers, labels, badges, pens, magnets, postcards, transaction cards, gift cards, loyalty cards, reward cards, phone cards, identification cards, or combinations thereof.

17. The system of claim 12 , wherein the substrate comprises a lens sheet comprising a first surface including the lens array defined thereon, and a second generally planar surface, and wherein the final digital print file is printed on the second surface.

18. The system of claim 12 , wherein a lens sheet having the lens array defined thereon is bonded to the printed substrate such that the customized composite image is viewable through the lens sheet, thereby forming a customized dimensionally imaged article.

19. The system of claim 12 , wherein the substrate comprises a clear material, wherein the final digital print file is printed on a first side of the substrate, and wherein the lens array is printed on at least a portion of a second side of the substrate such that the customized composite image is viewable through the clear material and the lens array.

20. The system of claim 12 , wherein the final print file is printed on a first side of the substrate thereby forming a first print layer, and the lens array is printed on at least a portion of the first side over the first print layer such that the customized composite image is viewable through the lens array.

21. The system of claim 12 , wherein the substrate comprises a clear material, wherein the final digital print file is printed on a first side of the substrate, and wherein the lens array is embossed with heat and pressure on at least a portion of a second side of the substrate such that the customized composite image is viewable through the clear material and the lens array.

22. The system of claim 12 , wherein the visual effect comprises three-dimensional effects, animation, magnification, or combinations thereof.

23. A system for ordering customized articles having a customized visual effect formed from a customized composite image and a lens array, the system comprising: (A) a host site accessible on a browser from a user device, the host site being adapted to— prompt a user to supply a digital image file containing a digital image to be digitally combined with a second image to form the customized composite image, the customized composite image being adapted to produce the customized visual effect when coupled with the lens array, display to the user a virtual representation of the customized composite image and the customized visual effect, wherein the virtual representation comprises an animated image format for representing the customized visual effect, prompt the user to approve or edit the digital representation, and prompt the user to submit an order for one or more of the articles upon approval of the digital representation, wherein upon submission of the order, the host site transmits, over a network, the order including the digital image file; (B) a production site, the production site being adapted to— receive the order including the digital image file, form the customized composite image by overlaying the digital image with a transparent image layer to form the customized composite image, wherein the transparent image layer comprises the second image interlaced with a transparent area, and wherein the digital image is viewable through the transparent area of the transparent image layer, digitally insert the customized composite image into a digital template based on a coordinate corresponding to the digital template to produce a final digital print file representing the customized composite image inserted into the template; and (C) means for communicating the final digital print file to a printing device or engine to print the final digital print file on a substrate, wherein the printed substrate is coupled to the lens array or includes the lens array defined thereon such that the customized composite image is viewable through the lens array, thereby producing the customized visual effect.

24. The system of claim 23 , wherein the virtual representation is updated upon editing by the user.

25. The system of claim 23 , wherein upon submission of the order, the host site transmits the digital image file in a compressed format, and wherein upon receipt of the order by the production site, the digital image is extracted from the digital image file without loss of resolution.

26. The system of claim 23 , wherein the digital template is designed by the user on the host site.

27. The system of claim 23 , wherein the host site provides a plurality of digital templates, and wherein the host site is adapted to prompt the user to select a digital template from the plurality of digital templates.

28. A system for customizing articles having a visual effect formed from a customized composite image and a lens array, the system comprising: a production site adapted to— receive a digital customized composite image file containing a first custom image combined with at least a second image thereby defining a customized composite image, wherein the customized composite image comprises a transparent image layer overlaying the first custom image, the transparent image layer being formed of the at least second image interlaced with a transparent area, and wherein the first custom image is viewable through the transparent area of the transparent image layer, the customized composite image being adapted to produce the visual effect when coupled with the lens array, insert the customized composite image into a field of a digital template to form a final digital print file, and provide a virtual representation of the customized composite image either alone or within the digital template, wherein the virtual representation comprises an animated image format representing the visual effect; and a digital printing device, wherein the printing device communicates with the production site to print the final digital print file on a substrate, wherein the printed substrate is coupled to the lens array or includes the lens array defined thereon such that the customized composite image is viewable through the lens array, thereby producing the visual effect for each article.

29. A system for ordering customized articles having a customized visual effect formed from a customized composite image and a lens array, the system comprising: (A) a mobile application accessible on a mobile user device, the mobile application being adapted to— prompt a user to supply a digital image from the mobile user device, the digital image being selected to be digitally combined with a second image to form the customized composite image, the customized composite image being adapted to produce the customized visual effect when coupled with the lens array, display to the user a virtual representation of the customized composite image and the customized visual effect, wherein the virtual representation comprises an animated image format for representing the customized visual effect, prompt the user to approve or edit the digital representation, and prompt the user to submit an order for one or more of the articles upon approval of the digital representation, wherein upon submission of the order, the mobile application transmits, over a network, the order including the digital image file; (B) a production site, the production site being adapted to— receive the order including the digital image file, form the customized composite image by overlaying the digital image with a transparent image layer, wherein the transparent image layer comprises the seond image interlaced with a transparent area, and wherein the digital image is a viewable through the transparent area of the transparent image layer, digitally insert the customized composite image into a digital template based on a coordinate corresponding to the digital template to produce a final digital print file representing the customized composite image inserted into the template; and (C) means for communicating the final digital print file to a printing device or engine to print the final digital print file on a substrate, wherein the printed substrate is coupled to the lens array or includes the lens array defined thereon such that the customized composite image is viewable through the lens array, thereby producing the customized visual effect.

30. The system of claim 29 , wherein the second image comprises a second digital image from the mobile user device.

31. The system of claim 29 , wherein the second image comprises a stock image from the production site.